Back pain

It's been a while since I last rode in (and we've had torrential rain nearly every day..) so finally forced myself to this morning. As usual the ride was actually much nicer than driving, but my recurrent back problem seems to have reappeared. I need to build up my core to stop my stronger back muscles from messing me up.. Time to buy a swiss ball I think..

Wettest month ever

Well it's been raining rather a lot recently, so I've been driving a lot.. A bit pathetic really, but there you go.. Finally back on the bike today, with a 24hr race this weekend so was a bit anooyed that I was going to get some of my kit wet so soon before the race...but actually had such an enjoyable ride in I don't care. I had plenty of time so went along the top, up the rollercoaster and down coal pit lane, ace fast zooming over the motorway bridge..

Knockdamph

Knockdamph
Originally uploaded by hairy_matt

One of many pics from our Hebridean adventure. This was taken while crossing the mainland (we had to ride a quick coast to coast to get to a mainline railway station).

Headwind to welcome me back

Blimey, didn't realise it was a month since my last pedal in. Had a nice headwind all the way in to welcome me back, though nothing like as windy as it was durint he week we spent cycle touring around the Hebrides a week or so ago.. :-)
Great trip.

Poor dog

I ran over a dog on my bike on the way home on Friday. No lasting damage I think, but it ducked in front of me at the last minute and got clouted at about 15mph.. Lots of whimpering..

No such drama today...so far. Just an ugly headwind all the way in.

..and rode in this morning

Having spent half of yesterday evening stripping and re-building hubs, it was reassuring to find the wheels going round properly on the way in. Meant to be meeting Amy on the way home again to get a few bonus miles in..

Rode in yesterday

And met Amy at the Maenllwyd on the way home. Originally plan (I thought) was to go for a bit of a beasting on the roads as prep for our touring trip, but the couple of pints we had instead were very pleasant.. ;-)

Breakfast on high

Bought a bacon, sausage and bean breakfast pastry thing on the way in (had actually just stopped to buy some P-clips, but the bakery smelt good). It was a bit hot so I pedalled up to the top of the ridge and found a handy style to sit on, not a bad spot for a munch..

Quarry ahead

Quarry ahead
Originally uploaded by hairy_matt.

Went home via Rudry and the ridgeway on Friday, an excellent ride in the sunshine...though steep loose terrain with drop handlebars is interesting to say the least..

CX Bike

CXBike
Originally uploaded by hairy_matt.

Well, I picked up my new toy last night, and after swapping a tube and tightening a few bolts, it rode in very well this morning. not as quick as the road bike (shorter gearing and fatter tyres) but a lot more confidence inspiring when hitting rough stuff. I think it's going to make an excellent tourer/commuter. Just need to sort out some chain skipping probs, and it'll be sweet to take the off road route home..

Sunshine

The weather shows no sign of breaking, so another lovely ride in for me today.. Nice..

Castle Coch Photoshoot

DSCF1406.jpg
Originally uploaded by hairy_matt.

Headed out last night for a dedicated photoshoot evening. Shot lots and got a few good uns, like this one of Rich leavnig a dust trail in his wake. Learnt that I need to practice more to get the best out of the flash, I need to work on timing and also remember to think about focal length. Wide angle wacky distortion is fine for a few shots, but I need to start using more of the range of my zoom.. Good fun though :-)

Rode in this morning too..pretty uneventful..

Hole filling

Well, I'm not sure if it was a result of my complaint or not, but the pothole at the top of Rhumney hill has been patched up making for a much smoother ride to work this morning. The other potholes in the newport side are still there though, obviously they aren't as on the ball as their cardiff collegues.

Slow puncture

Booo. I hate slow punctures. I pumped it up yesterday before riding in, before riding home, this morning before riding in and no doubt later before riding home. It's only losing around 5psi/hour so not really worth changing the tube, but I'm going to get bored of pumping soon.

Hmm the pecking order continues

Had a nice uneventful ride in today, until the roundabout outside the office. There was no traffic in the outside lane, and only a scooter in the middle so I pulled out. The scooter then buzzed in behind me and shouted that it hadn't been safe so I shouldn't have pulled out. I'm a good judge of closing speed (you have to be to survive) and there was no way he was going quick enough for me pulling out to cause him to brake, and besides he wasn't even indicating to change lanes. I half pointed this out, but I have a feeling he accelerated to make a point that while cars may bully him out of the way, I'm still further down the pecking order...sod that.

30 minutes!

I've just about broken the 30 minute barrier riding home before, but never got close on the way in...until today. Sprinted up Rumney hill like a madman and kept the bike in the big ring on all the flat sections... Got to work in pretty much exactly 30 mins.. Not going to come anywhere close on the way home mind, but c'est la vie.. ;-)

Cold head

HAd my hair cut on Friday, and only just got round to riding since... It's a bit chilly with less up top :-o

Potholes

Just realised riding in today that half the potholes I reported aren't quite where I said they were...oh well. hope the council can find them anyway..

Half a ride in

Getting a lift home via Stroud.. Finally reported some potholes on http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/ hopefully something will happen..

Decisions decisions

Nice ride in today (though almost flattened an idiot woman who walked out in front of me while chatting on her phone..). Just trying to decide whether to swap the road bike for a CX bike..more off road commute potential and less worrying about potholes... Hmm...